The confirmation of the approaches followed the publication of a report that said Canadian mining company Eldorado Gold Corp, which is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, had already expressed an interest in acquiring European Goldfields.

The group warned that "no formal offers have been received and there can be no assurances that any transaction will result from any of these approaches".

However, the shares closed jumped 115½p at 763p, giving the company a market capitalisation of £1.3bn.

The approaches come after the Qataris agreed in October to lend European Goldfields $750m (£481m) to fund the development of its two flagship gold mines in Northern Greece. As part of the deal, Qatar Holding could become one of the group's largest shareholders.

The shareholders of European Goldfields, which is listed on Aim and in Toronto, are due to vote to approve the Qatari deal on December 22 in Canada.